Dental desensitization by dentists and occupational therapists for autistic adults: A pilot study.
AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024;
28:515-519. [PMID:
37272580 DOI:
10.1177/13623613231173757]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT
Managing patients with autism in the dental clinic often requires resorting to pharmacological behavioral control techniques, including general anesthesia. References in the literature to desensitization programs are scarce and focus on training children with autism to undergo oral examinations and preventive procedures. This study shows that a dental desensitization program implemented by dentists and occupational therapists could help in performing not only oral examinations but also simple dental therapeutic procedures for a considerable percentage of adults with autism, without using a pharmacological intervention (sedation or general anesthesia).
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